Job Specification

Purpose :

- To provide construction contract management technical advice/expertise in support of complex regional transportation infrastructure projects.
- To monitor and manage the administration of highway construction consulting contracts, to evaluate the consultants' performance in the delivery of construction projects, and to carry out construction related assignments.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Contract Management
- Administers Consultant Contract Administrator's conformance to construction administration agreements, schedules, budgets, services and deliverables and quality assurance plan, and keeps apprised of potential delays or claims to the contract by onsite inspections.
- Reviews and verifies documentation for items such as additional work for payment, and approves additional costs up to authorized limit. Prepares recommendations for items such as claim resolutions, financial management, additional work to be done, and forwards for approval.
- Inspects the construction site to verify construction practices and adherence to various guidelines, regulations and procedures to ensure quality control, and takes action to deal with non-conformity. Prepares assessments of consultant/contractor's performance using an established evaluation system, and reviews performance for completeness and fairness before recommending approval.
- Provides advice/consultative expertise for acquisition of consultant services, prepares Expression of Interest (EOI), Request for Proposal/Quotation, evaluates and makes recommendation for approval.
- Reviews and evaluates reported defects during the warranty period, coordinates inspection of work before warranty expiration, and administers corrective action.
2. Liaison and Coordination
- Coordinates the provision of, or conducts formal and informal training for both internal and external partners involved in transportation projects regarding ministry construction standards, practises and processes
- Provides instruction and advice to the consultants/contractors concerning Ministry decisions or recommendations, and liaises with the ministry and consultants/contractors to address construction issues.
- Liaises with maintenance and third party agencies, external agencies, and the public, relating to construction contracts.
3. Advice/Technical Expertise/Leadership
- Provides expertise, guidance and input through all phases of the contract from the beginning of design to the end of the warranty period.
- Reviews complex contract drawings and documents during pre-contract engineering phase to ensure that the contract is properly documented and constructible.
- Participates in, and provides technical support and input to corporate initiatives on construction and contract methods and procedures.
- Provides supervision and leadership to technical staff assigned for specific projects; determines work assignments, reviews performance and provides input into performance evaluation and technical training on construction and contract control methods and procedures.
- Provides technical expertise, assistance and support to Contract Control Officers in the management of their contract by providing advice on the interpretation and application of construction standards and practices, advising on the resolution of unusual or unique design and construction issues, and discussing approach in dealing with contractors and consultants regarding claims and contract management issues.

Knowledge / Skill :

Knowledge of and skills in:
- Contract administration principles/practices applicable to complex highway and bridge construction. Knowledge and skills in MTO CA procurement/policy/specifications, design and construction practices.
- Interpreting complex drawings, plans and designs, analyzing the constructability of drawings, and modifying schemes to address unforeseen construction issues.
- Traffic management principles to coordinate and ensure effective traffic staging and flow.
- Highway construction materials/products to review designs and administer construction contracts.
- Policies and provisions in related legislation (e.g. Construction Lien Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Highway Traffic Act, Aggregates Resources Act, Forest Fire Prevention Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act, etc.) to ensure that construction proposals and activities take into consideration the requirements by law and policy for public safety and environmental protection.
- Planning and supervisory skills to direct the activities of assigned technicians, to set objectives and to provide guidance.
- Oral and written communications to liaise with consultants/contractors and partners, prepare and evaluate contracts, claims and a variety of reports related to construction, safety, incidents and work performance.
- Operating a computer and work-related software and office equipment.
- Valid Ontario Class “G” Driver's Licence to make site visits and attend meetings.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

- Interpersonal and influencing skills to effectively deal with the public, external agencies, ministry and consultants/contractors, and third party agencies, to discuss and resolve construction issues and encourage good working relationships and performance.
- Negotiation skills to obtain agreement from the consultants/contractors to incorporate contract changes that may have impacts on schedules, deliverables and budget, and resolve differences/disputes.
- Presentation and facilitation skills to provide instruction and advice to consultants/contractors, and to coordinate/provide formal and informal training for internal and external partners.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analyzing and problem-solving skills to:
- Ensure compliance and successful completion of complex construction contracts in accordance with legislation, regulations, procedures, guidelines and accepted construction standards.
- Assess a consultant/contractor's performance using established evaluation system.
- Evaluate new equipment, material or procedure/operation proposed by a contractor.
- Provide technical input during design and construction phases of regional transportation projects.
- Review and make recommendations on contract administration issues related to quality, schedules and budgets.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:
- Providing technical expertise and leadership through all phases of the contract from design through to warranty period.
- Making recommendations on technical/construction/ contract administration issues that may have impact on quality, schedule and budget, and which may include: extension of time requests, claims, change orders, quality control/quality assurance, etc.
- Evaluating consultant/contractor performance assignment with an impact on the ability to bid on future assignments/contracts.
- Inspecting construction sites and verifying construction practices and adherence to guidelines, regulations, and quality control, and taking action to deal with non-conformity.
- Reviewing contract drawings and documents during pre-contract phase for construction problems, and advising on proper documentation and constructability.
- Providing advice to the consultants/contractors concerning Ministry decisions or recommendations, and liaising with the ministry and consultants/contractors to address construction issues.
Has latitude to:
Responsible for:
- Providing technical expertise and leadership through all phases of the contract from design through to warranty period.
- Making recommendations on technical/construction/ contract administration issues that may have impact on quality, schedule and budget, and which may include: extension of time requests, claims, change orders, quality control/quality assurance, etc.
- Evaluating consultant/contractor performance assignment with an impact on the ability to bid on future assignments/contracts.
- Inspecting construction sites and verifying construction practices and adherence to guidelines, regulations, and quality control, and taking action to deal with non-conformity.
- Reviewing contract drawings and documents during pre-contract phase for construction problems, and advising on proper documentation and constructability.
- Providing advice to the consultants/contractors concerning Ministry decisions or recommendations, and liaising with the ministry and consultants/contractors to address construction issues.
Has latitude to:
- Make decisions on extra contract work up to their authorized limit.
- Verify project payments for construction contracts.
Decisions are guided by established guidelines and procedures contained within manuals and standards (such as the Contract Control Officer's Manual or equivalent).

Contacts / Stakeholder :

- Contract Administrator to check on daily progress of work and address issues arising during construction.
- Project Manager of Design/Design Consultant to discuss design issues and to clarify intent of design.
- Contractor to discuss issues related to construction, cost, time and work schedule.
- Area Contracts Engineer to discuss construction issues and recommend resolutions.
- Consultants, to provide technical advice, guidance, and project leadership, to successfully achieve deliverables, ie. ratings, payments, claims and schedules.
- Senior regional and head office staff and management to provide advice and recommendations regarding resolution of complex contract issues and recommend action to deal with claims and non-compliance issues
- Ministry staff, other ministries, local regional municipalities, and external agencies to share information and resolve issues arising from highway construction projects (e.g. environment, safety and regulatory concerns).
- Ontario Provincial Police to provide information and discuss construction issues such as accident reports and speed control at sites.
- Legal Services to acquire legal advice related to construction issues.
- Members of the public to respond to inquiries and complaints about construction work.

Guidance / Supervision :

- Directs and provides guidance/ advice on technical matters to assigned technical staff for specific projects; determines work assignments, reviews performance and provides input into performance evaluations; provides technical training on construction and contract control methods and procedures.
- Provides technical expertise, assistance and support to Contract Control Officers in the management of their contracts by providing advice on the interpretation and application of construction standards and practices, on the resolution of unusual or unique design and construction issues, and on approaches for dealing with contractors and consultants regarding claims and contract management issues.
- Provides technical advice and support to Project Design Engineer, construction clerk, and Area Contracts Engineer, to assist in improving the organizational process.
- Provides guidance in area of specialty to staff in other departments (e.g. Area Maintenance Technician).
- Explains work procedures to new or inexperienced employees (eg. Engineers in training, technicians in training).

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

- Frequent conflicting work demands and priorities due to incident management on site; accidents, traffic issues.
- Frequently drives many hours in a day while monitoring contractor activities.
- Meeting with contractors/consultants/technical staff and inspection work of complex highway construction contracts involves frequent travel.

Mental / Sensory :

- Frequent requirement to concentrate while dealing with contractor's concerns/ issues, when listening in meetings, preparing reports/ documents and responding to public complaints.

Conditions / Environment :

- Occasional exposure to confined space, night work, waterways and heights.
- Requirement to walk in un-even terrain to reach work sites.
- Occasional work outdoors, and exposure to dust, traffic, prevailing weather conditions, insects, noise, water hazards at creeks, rivers and bridges when monitoring and/or directing contractor activities for highway construction contracts.